Call up the guys and make a plan

You arrive at the alley you specified. It has been forty minutes since your book has been stolen. Every moment things could be going wrong. First, James arrives, shortly followed by Nick. "Guys, a very valuable item has been stolen from me by Jacob. A very dangerous item. I need help recovering it by any means possible."

"What is it that makes it so important? Shouldn't we call the police?" asks James.

"No," you say, not wanting to risk having the police **** hypnotized, "It's a... mind control device thing."

"Ha-ha-ha!" says Nick mockingly, "What did you really want?"

"Do you remember that book I was holding?" you ask Nick, "And how, while I was holding it, you decided to lay down on the ground for no particular reason? Your shirt was white. Why would you want to get grass stains on it? I made you do it."

"Nuh uh. I wanted to do it," explains Nick, "I just didn't really consider the grass. Now that you mention it, there was something strange about that book you had though. It made me feel uneasy."

"Is that what you want? A book?" asks James. You give up on trying to make them understand.

"Yes, now listen to my plan," you tell them. You've had a half hour to think this up. It's gotta work.